Childen's Hospital Boston  300 Longwood Avenue
Boston, MA 02115
(617) 355-6000
 X
My Child Has:
Septate Hymen
Programs that treat this condition
 Gynecology Program    Center for Congenital Anomalies of the Reproductive Tract  
The hymen is an area of tissue that represents the opening to the vagina. The hymenal tissue is a ring-like form of tissue which has a hole within the center, present at birth.

A septate hymen refers to a band of extra hymeneal tissue running vertically in the area of the normal hymen. A hymeneal septum may interfere with a woman's ability in insert a tampon or she may find that she can insert the tampon but once it expands with blood, she cannot remove the tampon.

A hymeneal septum does not have to be surgically removed and if a woman attempts to have sexual intercourse with a septate hymen it will usually tear. This may be associated with some discomfort, pain, or bleeding. A simple surgical approach can be undertaken to remove the septate hymen, thus creating a normal hymeneal orifice.

For more information go to the Center for Young Women's Health website.

 X
 X The information on this website should not be taken as medical advice,
which can only be given to you by your personal health care professional.
 X
 X Copyright © Children's Hospital Boston. All rights reserved.